Write

Write Tool

Create a new file with the given content. Creates parent directories automatically.

REQUIRED: path (absolute), content (full file content)

Write is for creating new files only. If the file already exists, Write will be refused by the tool and return an error telling you to use Edit instead. Do not retry Write on the same path — it will be refused again.

WHEN TO USE Write:

• The file does not exist yet and you are creating it from scratch

WHEN TO USE Edit INSTEAD:

• ANY change to an existing file — bug fixes, refactors, format tweaks, adding a function, renaming a variable, everything. Edit takes path + edits: [{oldText, newText}] and patches in place.
• Iterating after a failed test — never retype the whole file

If you need to completely replace an existing file's content, Edit can still do that: pass the entire current content as oldText and the full new content as newText. Read the file first if you don't already have its current content.

EXAMPLE:

{"name": "Write", "input": {"path": "/tmp/example/new_module.py", "content": "def hello():\n    return 'hi'\n"}}

NOTE: Always use the EXACT file path given in the task, never a placeholder.

Rules

• Write is for NEW files only — it refuses if the file already exists
• For existing files, always use Edit with oldText/newText instead
• Parent directories are created automatically
• Use exact paths from the task, never placeholders

Workflow

1. Verify file doesn't exist: Only use Write for files that don't exist yet
2. Provide full content: Include the complete file content, not partial updates
3. Use exact paths: Match the file path specified in the task exactly
4. Fallback to Edit: If Write is refused, use Edit to modify the existing file instead